A dehumidifier inside a house (Picture: Getty)

With the cold winter creeping up upon us and the cost of living crisis causing bills to skyrocket, many Brits are calculating how to make their homes as energy efficient as possible.

Dehumidifiers are a winter essential, as they cut laundry drying time by half and help to keep homes mould-free.

They also help to make houses feel less cold, saving money on energy bills.

But how does a dehumidifier work and how much do they cost to run?

Here’s all you need to know.

What is a dehumidifier and how does it work?

Dehumidifiers pull moisture out of the air, making it drier.

Dehumidifiers help to prevent mould from growing (Picture: Getty)

To do this, they pull air into the system and over very cold coils, which pulls out the moisture.

The moisture then condenses into water and collects in the system.

Before the air is pumped back into the room, it is forced over warm coils to return to room temperature.

How much does a dehumidifier cost to run?

Different dehumidifiers will cost different amounts to run.

The best way to calculate how much a dehumidifier costs to run on its maximum setting is to look at its wattage.

Smaller models can use as little as 22 watts, whereas larger ones go up to around 500 watts.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, as of October 2022, the national average price per pence/kWh of electricity was 34p.

Therefore, a dehumidifier which extracts up to 20 litres a day, with a wattage of 480w would use 0.48 kWh, meaning that it would cost just 16p to run the appliance for one hour.

A dehumidifier that extracts up to 12 litres a day, with a wattage of 157w (0.157 kWh) is even cheaper to run, costing just 5p an hour.

Damp air can lead to mould (Picture: Getty)

Chris Michael, Director at Meaco said: ‘Remember that you’re more likely to use your dehumidifier during the winter.

‘The wattage that a dehumidifier uses is turned into heat, so you get a dual benefit – less condensation on the windows, less chill in the air and the space feels warmer.’

What are the benefits of using a dehumidifier?

Moisture can make houses feel cold.

Therefore, removing moisture from the air using a dehumidifier will help to reduce the need to turn the heating on.

Damp air can also create mould, which can cause damage to wallpaper and walls, racking up unnecessary costs.

Mould can also lead to health problems, such as issues with breathing and the immune system.

Using a dehumidifier helps to prevent this.

Dehumidifiers also suck the moisture out of your laundry, meaning that clothes are dried much quicker and there is no need to spend money turning the tumble drier on.

Dehumidifiers can help laundry to dry quicker (Picture: Getty)

How much does a dehumidifier cost to buy?

Dehumidifiers, on average, range from around £100-£200.

They can be purchased from a wide variety of retailers, such as Amazon, Argos and John Lewis – B&Q are currently selling a 16L model for £100 in their Black Friday sale.

MORE : Air-dry your laundry quicker with this Amazon Prime Sale dehumidifier that’s less than £40

MORE : In need of a dehumidifier? These are the best ones to buy now

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Dehumidifiers can help to make your house feel less cold this winter